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JOHN 15:5 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 15:4John 15:6
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing — the identification is complete: disciples are branches, Jesus is vine, the Father is the vinedresser. Fruit-bearing requires mutual abiding; it is not achievement but the natural consequence of remaining in proper relationship to the source of life. The radical claim "apart from me you can do nothing" (ou dynasthe poiein—you are unable to do anything) sweeps away all pretense of independent spiritual accomplishment; genuine good works flow only from abiding in Christ.

Church Fathers on John 15:5

Having said that they were clean through the word which He had spoken to them, He now taught them that they must do their part.

Chrysostom · 4th century

not they in Him, as He in them; for both are for the profit not of Him, but them. The branches do not confer any advantage upon the vine, but receive their support from it: the vine supplies nourishment to the branches, takes none from them: so that the abiding in Christ, and the having Christ abiding in them, are both for the profit of the disciples, not of Christ; according to what follows, As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can…

Augustine · 4th century · Abide in Me, and I in you

All the fruit of good works proceeds from this root. He who has delivered us by His grace, also carries us onward by his help, so that we bring forth more fruit. Wherefore He repeats, and explains what He has said: I am the vine, you are the branches. He that abides in Me, by believing, obeying, persevering, and I in Him, by enlightening, assisting, giving perseverance, the same, and none other, brings forth much fruit.

Alcuin · 8th century
Read all 9 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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